The Vulcan race is famous for... Lake of hot lava in the crater of Nyiragongo volcano in Congo
The location of the Nyiragongo volcano (an active stratovolcano) is the African Virunga Mountains (territory of the national park of the same name; located 20 km north of Lake Kivu and the city of Goma located on its shore) in.
General information
Since 1882, according to documentary data, Nyiragongo (its height is more than 3400 m) has erupted 34 times, and at times its volcanic activity lasted for several years. One of the strong eruptions dates back to 1977 - then the “fiery” streams claimed the lives of hundreds of people. And the 2002 eruption, when a lake of lava rose to the edge of the crater, destroyed most of the city of Goma, located in the vicinity of the volcano. Fortunately, the authorities managed to evacuate 40,000 people across the border in advance to the city of Gisenyi, adjacent to Goma. However, there were victims - about 150 people died under the ruins of destroyed buildings and from the deadly mixture of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
As a rule, Nyiragongo lava is very liquid and flowing, which is due to the quartz it contains. In this regard, lava flows flowing from the slopes can “develop” speeds of up to 100 km/h. The width of the main crater (it contains a lava lake, which is located at around 2700 m) Nyiragongo is 2 km, and the depth is 250 m.
It is not only Nyiragongo that poses a danger: in the event of a strong shaking (eruption), Lake Kivu could release the methane and carbon dioxide deposits stored in its depths, then Goma would be covered with a deadly cloud, not giving the inhabitants of this city a chance to escape.
The underground lava flows of Nyiragongo, or more precisely, their structure, resemble a water supply system - the volcano has a main channel and numerous branches (through which lava reaches the surface).
Those living in the city of Goma are confident that Nyiragongo is erupting at them as punishment for their sins. In addition, their confidence also concerns the fact that in the past eruptions were avoided due to the fact that brides were sacrificed to the volcano. This custom actually existed, but it was a bloodless (spiritual/thanksgiving) sacrifice. To “appease” Nyiragongo, the head of one of the families had to announce that his eldest daughter was the bride of the volcano (she could not leave her father’s house and get married - breaking the oath would anger the spirit of the volcano).
Nyiragongo for tourists
Climbing to the top of Nyiragongo takes about 6 hours - everyone will have the opportunity to admire the lake with hot lava in the dark (the area is illuminated thanks to the blazing magma), since tourists will be offered to spend the night in houses at the top of the volcano. But before you make the climb, you need to take care of the following: it is advisable to take warm clothes with you (it’s quite cold at the top), sleeping bag and at least 3 liters of water; It is important to wear trekking shoes when hiking (ordinary sneakers will not work).
It is worth taking into account that to climb you need to obtain a permit from the national park office (it will cost $200). If you wish, you can hire a guide in Goma, who will help you “get” a permit. He will also rent out sleeping bags and tents, and will also take you to the foot of the volcano in a jeep, and offer several candidates for porters and cooks (if necessary). This pleasure will cost $150-200 (the price depends on the size of the group).
For those interested in meeting mountain gorillas, Virunga Park organizes special treks that can last about 7-8 hours (only a little over 30 tourists per day can visit the gorillas), since it all depends on the weather and the location gorillas will concentrate on one day or another. It is worth considering that in the presence of gorillas it is forbidden to eat and drink, as well as use a flash (for 1-hour communication with primates you will be asked to pay $400).
It is worth noting that in Virunga Park you will be able to see the gray wood pigeon, crested eagle, flamingo, African long-tailed hawk, wood dove, Fraser's eagle owl and other birds, as well as elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes and other animals.
In the park, in addition to Nyiragongo, there is the Nyamlagira volcano (it is 25-30 km away from Lake Kivu), which has erupted at least 35 times since 1882. Expeditions are often organized to the Nyamlaghira volcano to monitor it (one of them confirmed the presence of a lava lake in its crater). The last time he threw out a fire fountain was in 2011. After a while, the Congolese authorities and the staff of the Virunga Park opened access to Nyamlagira to everyone so that they could visit the site of the volcanic eruption, staying in a tent camp located, although quite close to the foot of Nyamlagira, but at the same time in a safe zone. An excursion here from Goma costs $300 (tourists will be given tents and mats, but you should take care of food, water, sleeping bags and protection from rain on your own).
The African volcano Nyiragongo is located in the Virunga Mountains, 20 km north of Lake Kivu and the city of Goma on its shore, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), more precisely, in the border zone with the Republic of Rwanda, to the west of it.
The Albertina Rift passes through this territory - deep depression in the earth's crust, due to which the crust in this place is very thin, Ancient geological processes have not yet completed here, and the consequence of this is the presence of active volcanoes in these places.
Nyiragongo is a stratovolcano; it has the shape of a wide and regular truncated cone and at its base merges with another volcano - Nyamlagira. At the top there is a well-shaped main crater with a diameter of 2000 m and a depth of 250 m. On the northern and southern slopes of the volcano, two side and more ancient secondary craters are visible - Baratu (3100 m) and Shakheru (2800 m).
On the slopes of the volcano there are hundreds of small ash cones formed as a result of lateral eruptions.
Two cooled lava terraces are clearly visible in the crater - at an altitude of 2975 and 3175 m. At the bottom of the main crater there are splashes of fiery flashes lava lake- the most extensive in modern history: its volume is 76 million m 3.
The depth of the lake is unstable - about 600 m. The temperature of the lava reaches 982 ° C, and its splashes rise to a height of 7 to 30 m.
Nyiragongo lava is characterized by mobility (fluidity). The uniqueness of the volcano is that it is composed predominantly of fine-grained crystalline rocks containing more than 60% feldspathoid minerals with a predominance of light components. Unusually, neighboring Nyamlaghira and the South Kivu province are composed of alkali spar-dominated minerals. The magma of the volcano has a potassium composition and contains little silica. This explains its fluidity: lava flows reach speeds of 100 km/h, which is extremely unusual for stratovolcanoes.
Since 1882, 34 eruptions have been recorded, including periods when Nyiragongo's activity continued uninterrupted for many years, which manifested itself in the form of lava boiling in the crater of the lake. All this makes Nyiragongo one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
The proximity of the volcano to densely populated areas increases the likelihood of catastrophic consequences. In addition, the potential consequences of eruptions may be aggravated due to the unique properties of the Nyiragongo volcano - it has steep slopes along which lava flows rapidly. Lava lakes are not uncommon, there are many of them, for example, on, but they are not typical for stratovolcanoes. 
The most notable recent eruptions occurred in 1977 and 2002. In 1977, the crater walls collapsed, lava rushed down the slope at a speed of about 100 km/h, and the lake was empty in less than 60 minutes. Lava covered several villages, killing 70 people. During the 2002 eruption, a 13-kilometer crack formed in the area of the southern slope of the volcano. A lava flow ranging from 200 to 1000 m wide rushed into the city of Goma. 400 thousand people were urgently evacuated. Lava filled the stripes international airport, reached Lake Kivu and stopped. If it combined with water, it would explode and release a deadly mixture of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. 147 people suffocated from toxic fumes and died under the ruins of houses. 14 thousand buildings in Goma were destroyed, 350 thousand people. became homeless. This eruption was the most destructive in recent history.
Nyiragongo is not only very active, but also the least studied. Volcanologists do not risk studying it because of the war that has been going on for the past 20 years in the east of the DRC and in Rwanda.
For people who live near the volcano, it is both a blessing and a curse: mineral-rich volcanic ash enriches the soil, but the eruptions destroy farms.
The volcano is located on the territory National Park Virunga and listed World Heritage UNESCO.
general information
An active volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Type: stratovolcano.
Location: Virunga Mountains, 20 km north of Lake Kivu.
The largest city: Goma, 377,112 people (2010).
Secondary craters: Barat (3100 m) and Shaher (2800 m).
Numbers
Height: 3470 m.
Crater diameter: 2000 m.
Crater depth: 250 m.
Lava lake depth: about 600 m.
Maximum lava lake level: 3250 m.
Minimum lava lake level: 2700 m.
Lava temperature: 982°C.
Economy
Agriculture: crop production, livestock breeding.
Cutting down bamboo and valuable wood species.
Service sector: transport.
Climate and weather
Equatorial, humid.
Average January temperature:+20°С.
Average temperature in July:+21°С.
Average annual precipitation: 1700 mm.
Daily temperature difference: 10-15°C.
Relative humidity: 77%.
Attractions
■ Nyiragongo Volcano;
■ Nyamlaghira Volcano;
■ Lake Kivu;
■ National Park Virunga;
■ Gishwati Forest Reserve.
In June 2010, several intrepid scientists and explorers walked onto the shore of a boiling lava lake in the heart of the Nyiragongo volcano crater, located in the center of the African Great Lakes region. Since childhood, researchers have dreamed of getting to the shore of big lake lavas all over the world, mesmerized by the documentary "The Devil's Explosions", made by Haroun Taziff back in the 60s. It was this film that gave the public the first look at the fiery core of the Nyiragongo crater. Photographer Olivier Grünwald was a meter away from this lake, and now we have a unique opportunity to see the molten substance.
The volcano erupted in 1977 and 2002, completely destroying most of the city of Goma in Congo.
Climber and Nyiragongo veteran Jacques Barthelemy uses a rope to lower equipment to the second level.
Night. The camp is illuminated by a lake of lava.
This is the view from the edge of the volcano, 3,470 meters (11,380 feet) above sea level. At a depth of about 400 meters (1,300 feet), the lava lake is one of the many wonders of the African continent.
Volcanic gases over the main camp. Expedition members often had to sleep wearing gas masks.
Measuring the size of a lava lake using a laser telemeter.
Using this tube, volcanologist Dario Tedesco takes gas samples to study volcanic activity.
Hot gas condenses in a special small container. Scientists believe this is a vital operation that could be useful in predicting future volcanic eruptions.
The goal of the expedition is to reach the edge of the lava lake. No one has managed this before.
Members of the expedition communicate via radio and transmit data about the activity of the lava and the direction of movement of gases.
The task for climbers is also to find best way descent
Pierre-Yves Bourgi collects gas at the bottom of the crater. The samples will be studied by Dario Tedesco, who was recently appointed head of the UN's Natural Hazards Research Unit.
Explosion of gas bubbles on the surface of a lava lake.
The permanent lava lake at Nyiragongo Volcano is the largest in the world. Experts estimate that it contains about 8 million cubic meters (282 million cubic feet) of lava. In 1977 and 2002, the lava lake rose to the very edge of the crater and the lava destroyed much of the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Frank Pote approaches the lava. For such a walk, the wind must blow at his back, removing the heat. He is constantly informed by radio about changes in wind direction.
Mark Cullet is the first member of the team to reach the edge of the lake.
Olivier Grünwald prepares his photography equipment to protect it from temperatures that can reach 1,300 degrees.
Approaching 282 million cubic feet (8 million cubic meters) of lava is impossible without good protection.
In such a suit with limited visibility, Olivier Grunwald is told by radio how to walk and where to place his feet.
A close-up of the lava lake is the first shot. Photographer Olivier Grunwald: “I was so shocked by the spectacle of the lava surface that I stopped feeling time and heat, I just took pictures and took pictures. Suddenly they told me on the radio that it was time to return, lava activity appeared dangerously close to me?
The main risk was the frequent overflow of the lake with lava. Members of the expedition from the second level warned their colleagues by radio about the threat of lava movement.
At dawn, the light becomes stunningly beautiful, but gases from the lava can completely envelop the crater floor in a matter of seconds.
There was an overflow early at night. Year after year, the lava rises higher and higher along the crater walls until it overflows and an eruption begins. The purpose of the expedition is to collect information to enable volcanologists to predict such events and prevent tragedies.
Gas bubbles explode on the surface of the lake. The lake is constantly agitated due to the movement of the earth's crust.
The lava lake often splashed onto the shores, but this did not stop the expedition members.
Volcano Nyiragongo is considered the most active of the eight volcanoes in the world that form the Virunga mountain range.
At the beginning of the descent to the second level, the greatest danger is from falling stones. Gases also often blind climbers.
The expedition members had to carry about 600 kilograms (1,300 pounds) of equipment, as well as enough food and water for two days. Their main camp was located 120 meters (400 feet) above the lava lake.
Before this expedition, its participants had to undergo 4 months of training.
Once in the Virunga National Park in the Republic of Congo, you can easily believe that the domain of Sauron really exists. The boiling lava of the Nyiragongo volcano is in no way inferior to the fire-breathing Mordor. Nyiragong o is one of eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, it is located 20 km north of the city of Goma and Lake Kivu. This is one of the most active volcanoes in Africa, in its crater (about 2 km wide) periodically formed hot lava lake.
The lava lake in the Nyiragongo crater is the largest in the world, its depth varies depending on the activity of the volcano: in different years it ranged from 3250 m to 600 m. Nyiragongo erupts very frequently, with 34 eruptions recorded since 1882.
Unique lake formed because the erupting lava is unusually liquid and flowing. This is caused by its special chemical composition - it contains very little quartz. Lava flows flowing along the slope of the volcano can reach speeds of 100 km/h, and occasionally they reach the city, posing a danger to residents.
The most dangerous eruption occurred on January 10, 1977, when lava broke the walls of the crater. The storm took less than an hour to flood several nearby villages, killing at least 70 people (according to official figures). According to other sources, the number of victims reached several thousand.
During another major eruption on January 17, 2002, the lava flow rushing towards the city was enormous: up to 1000 m wide and up to 2 m deep. 400,000 people were evacuated from the city. Despite precautions, about 147 people died in the eruption from asphyxiation, carbon dioxide, and many buildings were destroyed by the earthquake.
Why we went to the volcano and how we got to the beginning of the climb, I have already told you.
All that remains is to say a few words about the volcano itself and quickly climb up.
Nyiragongo is a volcano in the Virunga Mountains. It is located on the Congolese territory bordering Rwanda.
The main crater of the volcano is 200 meters deep and 2 km wide; it contains a lake of bubbling lava, which last years is constantly active and does not fade.
It is believed to be the largest lava lake on our planet.
Nyiragongo lava is unusually liquid and flowing. Such features are caused by a special chemical composition - it contains very little quartz. Thus, during an eruption, lava flows flowing along the slope of the volcano can reach speeds of 100 km/h.
Due to the turbulent situation in the region, everyone who wants to climb the volcano is accompanied by armed rangers.
These are such beauties.
To our large group(as I wrote earlier, there were only 20 people who wanted to climb that day) we were given three rangers with three guns.
Therefore, our multinational group did not have to worry about their safety.
One ranger walked in front, the second in the middle, the third covered the rear.
After listening to the instructions and wishes for a good journey, we set out on this very journey.
The path itself is not very difficult. However, I’ll write to someone else about this as well. But at least anyone can overcome it.
It takes 5-6 hours, 8 kilometers, climb 1500 meters.
Along the way there are 4 places with benches to rest.
And here, almost at the very beginning of the journey, one unpleasant feature of organized walks on this volcano became clear.
Having seen the three accompanying people (plus porters and cooks, the most advanced of whom served as assistants), we joyfully decided that now the group would be divided according to strengths and interests.
Moreover, the forces were very different. But we had only one interest - to come before everyone else and while there were no people to evaluate how possible it was to descend into the crater.
When we saw three armed escorts and a crowd of assistants, we no longer thought about resolving the issue of getting away by giving a small bribe.
Therefore, I wanted to study this issue without a crowd of people, without attracting much attention.
But alas. The slowest participant in our ascent was put forward. And in response to my requests to provide us with one accompanying person, the chief guide said that we would definitely do this, but only after three stops. Before this, everyone needs to stick together because there is a possibility of meeting with robbers.
And we slowly moved up.
The brave porters brought up the rear of our cavalcade. Check out our beautiful rolling suitcase. I can imagine what the person carrying it was thinking.
There were guys walking next to me who were discussing races in the mountains. So I stuck to them and, like a radio, listened to the training of my foreign colleagues.
Then we met another German who walked in the mountains and was on McKinley. He proudly showed me his poles from the company of the same name. To which I answered him that there is no such mountain now :)
Sasha said in surprise:
- Wow, he knows both English and French.
“And I also know a little Russian,” he immediately answered modestly.
Then it turned out that in total he knows either 10 or more languages.
In general, we had a fun and pleasant trip.
It was even more pleasant to relax. During the rest, the cook of each group gave his charges something tasty. Either a banana or nuts.
Everything would be fine, but the lead clouds on the horizon that promised to turn into rain were very confusing. Therefore, I really wanted to get there quickly so as to get less wet. But it was impossible to go faster.
The rain soon started to fall. It became very wet. And as you gain altitude it gets colder.
I figured that, as usual, it wouldn’t be cold while you were walking. And upstairs, put on dry, warm clothes.
Alas, “while you’re walking” didn’t work out very well.
Therefore, I whined more than anyone and constantly asked when it would be possible to split up and where the robbers were.
There were no robbers, so after three hours those who wanted to go faster were finally allowed to fulfill their desires.
Life has improved. The road became more picturesque. Finally we managed to warm up, and the rain almost stopped.
The slopes of Nyiragongo are lined with my favorite Senecias - funny plants that also grow on Kilimanjaro. Why do they claim that these are endemic.
Meanwhile, the slope became steeper and steeper. And it was no longer so easy to walk.
From time to time I had to look very carefully where to place my foot.
But nevertheless, less than five hours had passed, and we had already reached the house, from which there was a short passage to the top of the crater.
The transition was short, but along a very steep slope. Those who could not go further could be carried on stretchers.
By the way, from the very beginning they said that those interested could be brought from the very bottom for only $300.
This is the service.
From this house the roofs of our houses, to which we were so eager, were already visible.
All that remains is to carefully climb up the hill, not forgetting to admire the views.
The houses are getting closer. They are made of iron. Inside there is enough space for two mattresses and some free space on the sides for things. The mattresses are good, covered with leatherette. Everything is clean and tidy. But it's very cold.
Smart people, of course, immediately went to occupy the houses and change clothes.
But is this why we went across half the world?
Therefore, whoever goes where, and we are on the crater.
And there...
Here it is - boiling and gurgling.
True, at first it was very cloudy and not very visible. Therefore, having checked in at the crater, with a clear conscience we went to look for a free house and warm ourselves up, so that later in the evening, when everything had stretched out and visibility had become much better, we could enjoy the spectacle to the fullest.
Well, see how to get down there, of course. We did not abandon this idea, despite all the difficulties. And a suitcase full of ropes and equipment stood exactly in the middle of the camp and waited in the wings.
And finally, about the difficulty of the climb.
My opinion is very subjective. But fortunately, almost all the participants in our ascent were not lazy and wrote their impressions, which Misha korostelev
I collected it in my journal.
Well, I'll take it away. It's not just about the climb. It’s also about overcoming oneself and all sorts of amazing discoveries, for the sake of which we fly to the ends of the world.
Misha
As for the difficulty of the climb. This is definitely not an easy walk, but not some difficult climb either. For some it is difficult, for others it is very difficult, for others it is a real test of their willpower. There is no way back, only forward. I am firmly convinced that every healthy person, even a completely unathletic person, can climb.
It is important to have good shoes, dry clothes in case of rain and a warm sleeping bag.
Olya K:
“My son and I climbed for almost 5.5 hours. 8 kilometers. It was hard for me. I was resting due to my condition, but this is the case when there is no turning back - only forward. We walked half the way in tropical rain. So it’s not just a walk.
the next day the descent is almost 4 hours"
Yana:
“To begin with, for those who are unprepared and have no experience, climbing mountains is a very difficult test. A quarter of the way runs through the jungle, the path in which is greatly washed out if it rains (now it’s the rainy season) - as a result, wet feet and mud up to the knees.
The next two-quarters of the way is steeply uphill over crumbling lava rocks. The last part of the path is along very steep rocks, approximately 45 degrees upward, which in rainy conditions become very slippery both on the ascent and especially on the descent.
About half of the way was spent in the rain, we were completely wet. And if we started the climb at a temperature of about +20, then at the top at night it was no more than +3 - there were no fires, we could only warm ourselves from the coals.
The fastest ones reached it in 5 hours, that is, this is the minimum - the maximum depends only on the physical capabilities of the tourists.
In our case, it was impossible not to get there, although there were such thoughts))
The fact is that there was nowhere to go down - there was no accommodation for those who could not cope below, a car with things on the other side of the border, of course there were no hotels in the nearest village, the population was not particularly friendly (rather the opposite) - even on the way the group was guarded by three rangers with machine guns from local robbers.
Therefore - dirty, damp, tired, soaked through - but they had to go.
So it's a really hard climb with no chance of changing your mind - not just a fun 4 hour hike. You need special clothes, shoes, attitude and fortitude. It would be nice to have some more physical training))"
Kate:
"yes, it was hard. I have never been a climber, and this path is not a walk, but an expedition. This should be taken into account by those who prefer easy trekking - this is not it at all. Yes, we got wet, cold, tired, there may be consequences for small health in the form of a cold, sprained or buzzing legs) and along the way 20 times you ask yourself what the hell I’m doing here voluntarily. But. There is a huge but in all this - when the goal is achieved, you understand that a very big daw has been set in life , and this will be remembered. When you sit with tea by the coals at the top, hiding in a house from the wind, or watch how lava splashes in the crater, you remember the ascent, especially on the way back, and you don’t understand how you even managed to get there. all the heaviness that falls along the way, you feel strong, free, and, damn it, happy. So the game is worth the candle if someone wants to test and strengthen their will (for inexperienced people, I mean). And if you want just walking along a flat path in the forest - then, of course, it’s not worth it"
Olya Rumyantseva (olly_ru):
"My look will be, so to speak, a professional on vacation :)
About the 45 degree rocks - Yana of course exaggerated. There will not even be 30 degrees on the last section of the slope, and these are not rocks, but a rather unpleasant path with slippery stones.
In everything else, I probably agree. Trekking cannot be called easy, but almost anyone can do it, even those who have never noticed such feats before. The distance is only 8 kilometers.
But you definitely need good clothes, and more importantly, good shoes and trekking poles. And be sure to have a lot of dry and warm clothes to completely change upstairs. It would also be a good idea to have spare shoes so that you don’t have to walk in wet boots at the top, since even the best boots get wet when walking for a long time in wet mud.
For the first three hours, the group moves at the pace of the slowest member. So even if you walk quickly, stock up on warm clothes and waterproof capes (this was my mistake, I hoped that if there were 3 guides they would let us split up, we could go at our own pace and it would be warm).
It will not be clear who will be in the group until the start of the climb; they unite everyone who goes to the volcano that day. We were not very lucky; there were already 20 people. For the first three hours it was just one crowd. So it turned out to be five hours. So you could walk in about 4 hours for sure. But you need to rely on clothes for the saddest option.
And be sure to pack all your things in waterproof bags and don’t forget a warm sleeping bag.
Well, in any case, remember that an unforgettable sight awaits you at the top, for which it is worth suffering a little."
Vania:
“Trekking was very likely not difficult, as Olga Rumyantseva says. But it seemed extremely difficult to me. The fact is that I lead an extremely inactive lifestyle: work nearby, a car nearby, zero sports. Therefore, I was very tired after two hours of walking (to the second stop). I was so tired that (due to the lack of experience and unsportsmanlike behavior in life) I thought that I would definitely not climb to the top. When at times the peak appeared high, far ahead, I was attacked by the fear that this slope I definitely won’t submit. However, thanks to Yana Selezneva (and the wish she made), with whom we were the last to float. Thanks to her support and the fact that I was not alone at the end, I found the strength to move on - forward and upward.
When I finally saw the last rest stop and the people on it, I realized that we were not so far behind the other Mzungu. Behind this halt there was a very steep (for me) slope, it seemed unreal to me, but people were cheerfully stomping along it and the top no longer seemed so unattainable.
In general, in the end I was the last to climb, except for the porter and the guide with the machine gun.
For me, the Nyirogongo slope was proof that I could do much more than I had previously imagined. This serious discovery allows me to take a broader look at the possibilities that I may be giving up when I just have to stomp and stomp, I can handle everything. I am very happy and pleased with myself that I climbed this volcano; it revealed something about me that I didn’t know about myself.
Everything about the equipment was written correctly. I was poorly equipped, but at least my boots didn’t let me down and I didn’t squelch my socks for 6 hours. The rain took me by surprise: the raincoat is no good - it’s short and doesn’t let the moisture out. As a result, there is a bathhouse under him, and all the rain drains from him onto his jeans, which in the end were soaked through.
Thanks to everyone who traveled with me, I apologize to those whom I slowed down. Mikhail Korostelev and TeamTrip - gratitude for the organization; I myself would never have been able to push myself out of my comfort zone. One can feel an upsurge of spirit and strength; understanding the wrong way of life pushes one to make changes. I hope that all this will not be lost in Moscow with its routine and I will still change something in my current lifestyle.
I’ll definitely go on the next trek, but later and definitely much better prepared and equipped.”
And again Katya:
Life is made up of many things. From the choices you make, from the minutes that add up to Time, memories, casual acquaintances, changing plans and trials in which you recognize yourself again. And feelings, of course. This is the feeling when you stand on the edge of a volcano crater, looking at the seething lava. Cold from the piercing wind, warm from a mug of hot tea in your hands, tired from 6 hours of difficult climbing to a volcano 3500 meters high, enthusiastic about everything that is happening around. Reach - done, for the first time with bated breath look into the fiery bowels of the earth - done. But that’s not all, because the day before the volcano is another adventure, an amazing acquaintance with the mountain gorillas of Uganda. When these powerful, plush, slightly lazy animals are a meter away from you, you really want to run your fingers through this fur. And even if it’s not easy to get to them, through the jungle and blurred paths, every breath in their company is worth achieving. And even when the male - the head of the family - threateningly advances on you with a roar, hinting that he also has personal space and should not be violated - it’s not scary, and you immediately know what to do - just respect the boundaries. To pay tribute to nature is to communicate with this endangered species, because there are only about 700 of them left on the planet. Overcome yourself by climbing the Nyiragongo volcano in the Congo - and realize that you can do much more than you thought, and feel that feeling of freedom and delight at the top. This is life, this is where it is. And with this awareness, it is not so difficult to enter a new stage of life, knowing that you are something more than you are.